Monday, June 14, 2010

Is Ottawa the New Edmonton?

We all know that Edmonton is the place that nobody wants to play. They have to overpay for free agents (Penner), overpay their own talent to stay (Horcoff) and even still, for various other reasons, some players just need to get out (Pronger).

Recently though, it seems that the Ottawa Senators might be giving the Oilers a run for their money in the race for the least desireable place to play.

With Dany Heatley having demanded a trade (and even still, refusing to go to Edmonton) and Jason Spezza having reportedly done the same, I've decided to compile a list of reasons that nobody wants to play in Ottawa.

2) Their Home Rink - When I was a little guy, I once played in a rink that was as far away from civilization as Scotia Bank Place. It was a converted barn. The zamboni was a tractor that pulled what can only be described as a 'zamboni box' behind it. Even at eight-years-old, I knew that was bullshit.

3) It's a tough place to run a business - Many players will do various things to supplement their hockey incomes, ranging from restaurants, to sponsorships, to construction companies. In Ottawa, this is a recipe for disaster. Just ask Chris Neil.

The Finger deal was clearly a mistake but the point isn't that Edmonton does overpay for players, the point is that they have to. Nearly all teams, given enough time, will make bad deals (some more than others - conceded).

I would hardly say that Toronto is the type of market that has to give a contract mark up to get players to come here. The limelight might not appeal to every player but it does appeal to some.

I dunno about that. Name the last UFA to sign in Toronto for less than market value. Komisarek, Beauchemin, Blake, Finger, Kubina, Gill - all took market price or more to come here. McCabe and Tucker were both way overpriced re-signs (like Horcoff). Kaberle was a sweetheart deal (like Hemsky).

I remain unconvinced that Toronto has any demonstrable edge over Edmonton in dollars and cents despite the obvious allure of weather and city size. I just think that both managerial teams have screwed the pooch over the last decade.